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The Isles of Scilly
The Isles of Scilly are an archipelago of some 200 uninhabited islands and five inhabited islands, lying 25 miles south west of Cornwall. The largest and most populated island is St Mary's, which has a port and an aerodrome. Tresco, which is privately leased, is the second largest island. The other three inhabited islands are St Agnes, Bryher and St. Martin's. The climate sets these islands apart from mainland England and dictates the landscape that characterises Scilly. The air is unusually humid, due to the Atlantic Ocean, and very pure, due to a lack of airborne pollution. Furthermore, the islands enjoy plentiful sunshine, with more sunshine hours than London. The sea, as well as the wind and the rain has whittled away at the islands' granite for some 10,000 years, creating vast natural sculptures such as the Loaded Camel Rock and the Nag's Head. Trans-Atlantic waves which smash into the shore have scooped out the horseshoe shaped coves on St Agnes, broken down the white sand which fringes Tresco and St Martin's and pruned the heather on the high downs into a glowing crust of purple. The islands are a designated Area of Outstanding Beauty, and include some of the highest concentrations of prehistoric remains anywhere in the UK, as well as rare species of birds and plant life and some of the greatest numbers of historic shipwrecks in the UK. Except for Tresco, all the islands are owned by the Duchy of Cornwall (the Prince of Wales). The prince, one of whose titles is Duke of Cornwall, has a private residence on St Mary's.
A brief history
The first recorded inhabitants date from the Bronze Age, around 2000 BC, when the present isles were all joined together, as is evidenced by a number of megalithic burial chambers. Later, the Romans also occupied this part of the world. It is thought that the Vikings called the islands 'Syllorgar', and the Romans 'Sully' (meaning the sun islands). The 'c' was added to the name some time in the 16th Century. The first settlers arrived from Cornwall over 4000 years ago, constructing settlements, burial chambers and monuments, many of which are still visible today. Remains found on the now uninhabited island of Nornour, reveal at least three centuries of Roman occupation, between the 1st and 3rd Century AD. Around AD 1800 a law was passed to give all sailors found washed up on shore a decent funeral.
Living in the Isles of Scilly
Warmed by the Gulf Stream, buffeted by the Atlantic, and reliant on sea and air links with the mainland, the unique Isles of Scilly are a world apart. Populated by a friendly community of just over 2000 islanders, sub-tropical Scilly enjoys tranquillity and a quality of life long lost to less isolated places. People with families who are searching for property for sale in Isles of Scilly will discover very little crime, virtually no vandalism or graffiti, and a safe and secure place to live. There is a strong sense of community that further enhances local safety. Houses and cars may be left unlocked at times and parents consider their children are secure when playing outside.
The main source of employment on the Islands is tourism, which makes up over 85% of the economy. The traditional industry of flower farming is the second biggest industry. The total population figures appear relatively stable and have only changed a little during the last century. Over the last two decades the Islands have experienced demographic change, with an increase in retired and elderly people, and a decline in young people and families.
As of April 2003, the five schools on the islands merged to become a single federated school called The Five Islands School. The school incorporates four primary sites on St Mary's, Tresco, St Martin's and St Agnes (Bryher children travel daily to the school on Tresco and to the secondary site on St Mary's). Secondary aged off-island children board on a weekly basis on St Mary's, at Mundesley Hostel, Church Road. It is unlikely that the Isles of Scilly will become too commercialised as the building of private or public houses is limited. Part of the reason behind this stringent enforcement is the limited water supply, which comes from an underground well. It is stated in a codicil for the deeds of every property that the Duchy of Cornwall has claim to all mineral, shooting and fishing rights. The types of Isles of Scilly property for sale include 1930's bungalows, modern houses, and a number of older cottages built from the islands' traditional granite. There are also plenty of flats for sale in Isles of Scilly, many of which enjoy waterside locations. St Mary's is the largest of the islands, though only two and a half miles by one and three quarters. The small and thriving capital, Hugh Town, nestles on an isthmus between two bays. St Mary's has a good selection of amenities, including banks, three churches, a hospital, a community garden, museum and a town hall. The island also has a number of cafés, restaurants and pubs, a castle and several ancient monuments. For those who enjoy sports you will find the island has a plenty of sports facilities, including squash, golf, cycling, tennis, horse-riding, windsurfing, sailing, scuba-diving, fishing, snooker and shooting.
Travel and transport links on the Isles of Scilly
There are three ways to reach the islands. The Isles of Scilly Steamship Group operates the Scillonian III ferry sailing from Penzance to St Mary's from March - November. Skybus, part of the Steamship Group, flies from Southampton, Bristol, Exeter, Newquay and Land's End direct to St Mary's. British International Helicopters operate helicopter flights from Penzance direct to St Mary's and Tresco. Every island is served by a network of inter-island launches that run seven days a week from April 1st through to the end of October.
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